Celebrating Asian Heritage Month

May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions that Asian Canadians have made and continue to make. While it’s a time to celebrate Asian culture, it’s also a time to reflect the hardships and perseverance of the Asian community in Canada and around the world.

Though Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated since the 1990s, the Canadian Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada In December 2001. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to announce May as Asian Heritage Month.

What is Anti-Asian racism?

In Canada, anti-Asian racism refers to historical and ongoing discrimination, negative stereotyping, and injustice experienced by peoples of Asian origin, based on others’ assumptions about their ethnicity and nationality. Peoples of Asian origin are subjected to specific overt and subtle racist tropes and stereotypes at individual and systemic levels, which lead to their ongoing social, economic, political and cultural marginalization, disadvantage and unequal treatment.

The term Asian encompasses such a wide range of identities that the very term Asian can become obscure. While all may experience being “otherized,” specific experiences of anti-Asian racism vary.

How we can fight anti-Asian racism

Here are some ways we can all contribute to tackling anti-Asian racism and building an even better and more inclusive society:

• Educate yourself about the vast diversity within the pan-Asian community and the distinct identities and cultures that have enriched Canadian society.
• Challenge stereotypes and recognize their origins in the historical context of anti-Asian racism.
• Demonstrate solidarity with Asian communities in Canada by buying from local Asian businesses and supporting relevant organizations.
• Be an ally denouncing instances of racism, discrimination, and microaggressions, and actively advocating for those affected by anti-Asian bias.
• Address unconscious biases and reflect on how they may influence actions and decision-making processes.

Resources for this hub have been pulled from the Government of Canada’s Asian Heritage Month landing page as well as its digital toolkit.